The People vs O.J actor was being lined up for a guest appearance on the BBC show – but has been forced to pull out at the last minute following his split from Zoe Buckman.

The former Friends star had agreed to help out his old co-star Matt by joining him for the final episode in the series but things were thrown up in the air when he split from the brunette beauty this month.

A source told The Sun newspaper: ‘Matt tried to get David to come on and it was looking hopeful at one point, despite his busy schedule.

David and his wife have separated (Picture: AKM-GSI-XPOSURE)

David Schwimmer and wife Zoe Buckman have separated after nearly 7 years of marriage (Picture: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

‘But David has now announced he’s on a break from his wife and doesn’t think it’s right to be appearing on a British TV show.

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”It’s a shame as he would have been a great guest and loads of people would have tuned in to witness the banter between him and Matt.

‘The new presenters’ chemistry is improving and the videos have been great, but there hasn’t been one amazing guest compared to who the old hosts used to attract.’

Top Gear returns to the BBC Two on Sunday 5 March at 8pm (Picture: BBC)

As a last minute attempt to find someone to fill in for the 50-year-old actor, Matt has enlisted the help of Jay Kay and Ross Noble – who have both recorded laps on the track before – to join him for the last episode of the series.

The current series of Top Gear has seen Matt take over the reins as the main presenter following Chris Evans’ shock departure last year over failed ratings.

And Matt’s co-host Chris Harris thinks the radio DJ – who walked away from the show just 12 months into his three-year contract – did them a favour by leaving because more people are tuning in to the show now that it’s become more about cars.

He said: ‘It’s a bit more car-orientated so the petrolheads are enjoying it. It’s never going to satisfy the full petrolhead audience but the car is at the centre of the show.’